Hide sorting systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/724,547 filed May 28, 2015 which claims priority to and the benefitof U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/003,998 filed May 28, 2014. Thisapplication is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/714,006 filed May15, 2015. The entire contents of the foregoing applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

One or more embodiments relate generally to processing hides. Morespecifically, one or more embodiments relate to systems and methods ofsorting hides.

2. Background and Relevant Art

In general, tanning is the process of transforming raw animal hides intoleather hides. Typically, tanning is performed at a tanning facilitythat receives raw animal hides from slaughterhouses or other facilitiesthat skin animals. Upon receiving the raw animal hides, the tanningfacility usually subjects the hides to various tanning processes. Forexample, most often the tanning facility uses a mechanical and chemicaltanning process, such as chrome tanning or vegetable tanning, to convertthe raw animal hides into leather hides. Once transformed into leather,the tanning facility may subject the leather hides to furtherprocessing, such as wringing, grading, splitting, and shaving, beforeproviding the hides to customers that generate finished leather productsfrom the hides. However, while conventional tanning processes are usefulin making leather hides, such processes suffer from severaldisadvantages.

One disadvantage of conventional tanning processes is a lack oftraceability of information relating to the various activities performedwithin the tanning facility. Conventional tanning processes often failto record information related to such activities. For example,conventional tanning processes lack the ability to record processinformation for a particular hide or a particular batch of hides (e.g.,the identification of particular machinery used in the tanning processand/or the identification of a chemical recipe used). Moreover, mostconventional tanning processes cannot identify and track a batch ofhides, an individual hide, and/or a package of hides with which toassociate process information. Thus, by failing to record processinformation, conventional tanning processes do not facilitatetraceability of hides throughout the various tanning facilityactivities. As a result, process malfunctions that result in poorquality hides are often difficult to troubleshoot due to the lack oftraceability, and therefore, conventional tanning processes oftenproduce inconsistent hides, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction,lost profit, and increased processing expense.

Another disadvantage is that conventional tanning processes typicallypackage leather hides without regard to information generated during thetanning process. Oftentimes, conventional tanning processes packageleather hides based only on information gathered during the packagingprocess (e.g., an assigned grade of a hide). Accordingly, conventionalpackaging processes typically fail to utilize prior hide measurements,batch characteristics, or other information that may be available ordetermined during the various states of the tanning process.Consequently, conventional tanning processes are inefficient as theyfrequently involve manual sorting and/or packaging of leather hidesbased on incomplete information about the hides.

Yet another disadvantage is that conventional tanning processestypically package leather hides using a single packaging process,regardless of the characteristics of each particular hide. For example,the packaging process usually involves folding each individual leatherhide in the same way. Thus, most conventional tanning processes do nothave the ability to customize the packaging process according tocustomer specifications. Furthermore, conventional packaging processesoften involve using manual labor to consistently sort, fold, and packagethe leather hides according to a single standard. Consequently, in manycases, conventional tanning processes are inflexible, slow, andexpensive.

Accordingly, there are a number of considerations to be made in sorting,folding, stacking, and packaging hides.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein provide benefits and/or solve one or moreof the foregoing or other problems in the art with systems and methodsfor improving the processing of hides. More specifically, one or moreembodiments improve the sorting of hides. In addition, one or moreembodiments provide systems and methods that enhance the traceability ofhides throughout the packaging process, and thereby increase theefficiency of sorting hides into packages to improve the flexibility,speed, and cost associated with sorting and packaging hides.

For example, one or more embodiments provide systems and methods thatrecord information related to the various activities performed within atanning facility. More specifically, the systems and methods disclosedherein can provide a tanning control system that stores identificationsof particular machinery used to unload, chemically tan, and packagehides. Further, in one or more embodiments, a tanning control system cangenerate and assign unique identifiers to batches of hides, individualhides, and packages of hides. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, atanning control system can associate the identifications of particularmachinery with the unique identifiers of hides to provide enhancedtraceability of hides throughout the various tanning processes. Thus,the systems and methods described herein can assist in improving theconsistency of hides, thereby promoting greater customer satisfaction.

Additional example embodiments can provide systems and methods thatpackage hides based, at least in part, on information generated duringprior tanning processes. In particular, the systems and methodsdisclosed herein can provide a tanning control system that utilizesinformation from the unloading or chemical tanning processes to sorthides into packages. More specifically, in one or more embodiments, atanning control system can sort hides based on unique batch identifiersgenerated and associated with the hides prior to the chemical tanningprocess. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, a tanning controlsystem can use prior hide measurements, batch characteristics, or otherinformation from prior tanning processes to determine the manner inwhich to sort, fold, stack, and package hides. Accordingly, examplesystems and methods described herein can increase the efficiency ofsorting and packaging hides by leveraging information obtained fromprior tanning processes that is associated with a batch of hides or withan individual hide.

As a further example, one or more embodiments provide systems andmethods that sort and package hides based on one or more characteristicsassociated with a particular hide. More specifically, the systems andmethods disclosed herein can provide a hide sorting system that sorts,folds, stacks, and packages hides according to multiple customerspecifications. For instance, in one or more embodiments, a hide sortingsystem can sort, fold, stack, and package a first type of hide accordingto a first customer specification and a second type of hide according toa second customer specification. Furthermore, in one or moreembodiments, a hide sorting system can automate the packaging of hidesby performing the sorting, folding, and stacking without the need formanual labor to handle the hides. Accordingly, one or more embodimentscan improve the flexibility, speed, and cost of sorting and packaginghides, thereby providing added value to customers.

Additional features and advantages of exemplary embodiments will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplaryembodiments. The features and advantages of such embodiments may berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and otherfeatures will become more fully apparent from the following description,or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary embodiments as setforth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above recited and otheradvantages and features can be obtained, a more particular descriptionwill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that areillustrated in the appended drawings. It should be noted that thefigures are not drawn to scale, and that elements of similar structureor function are generally represented by like reference numerals forillustrative purposes throughout the figures. In the following drawings,bracketed text and blocks with dashed borders (e.g., large dashes, smalldashes, dot-dashes, dots, etc.) may be used to illustrate optionalfeatures or operations that add additional features to one or moreembodiments. Such notation, however, should not be taken to mean thatthese are the only options or optional operations, and/or that blockswith solid borders are not optional in certain embodiments.Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments andare not therefore to be considered to be limiting, such embodiments willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system for processing rawanimal hides into leather in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed schematic diagram of a hide sorting systemof FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a sequence-flow diagram of interactions between ameasuring system, a classifying system, a tanning control system, and arouting manager of FIG. 2 in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary portions of a tanning system database inaccordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates additional exemplary portions of a tanning systemdatabase in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a hide sorting system inaccordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a series of acts in a method ofsorting hides in accordance with one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computingdevice in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments include a tanning control system that enhancesthe traceability of hides throughout the packaging process. For example,a tanning control system can control various systems in a manner thatenhances traceability, on an individual hide level, by capturinginformation related to one or more processes of a hide sorting system.For instance, a tanning control system can generate a unique hideidentifier for each hide and associate the hide identifier with datacorresponding to one or more processes of a hide sorting system (e.g.,unique identifiers for a particular sammying machine, weight scale,conveyor systems, grading machine, folding device, and pallet used topackage the hide). Thus, by capturing and tracking information relatedto the activities performed in a tanning facility, example embodimentsof a tanning control system can facilitate troubleshooting defects andother problems associated with processing hides, and thereby provideimproved consistency in producing hides.

Furthermore, one or more embodiments of a tanning control system canfacilitate the packaging of hides based, at least in part, oninformation generated from processes that occur prior to hides arrivingat a hide sorting system. In particular, in one or more embodiments atanning control system can cause a hide sorting system to sort a hidebased, at least in part, on a batch identifier that the tanning controlsystem generates during a process of unloading and/or chemically tanningthe hide. More specifically, for example, a tanning control system cansort a hide based on batch characteristics (e.g., a batch hide type)associated with a batch identifier of the hide. Furthermore, in one ormore embodiments a tanning control system can sort a hide based on anycombination of a batch identifier associated with the hide, one or moremeasurements of the hide obtained by a measuring system of a hidesorting system, or a grade of the hide obtained by a classifying systemof a hide sorting system. Accordingly, one or more embodiments improvethe efficiency of sorting and packaging hides by utilizing relevantinformation generated from prior activities performed during a tanningprocess, as well as information obtained during a packaging process(e.g., at a hide sorting system).

In addition, one or more embodiments include a tanning control systemthat packages hides based on one or more characteristics of each hideand one or more customer specifications. More specifically, forinstance, a tanning control system can determine one or morecharacteristics of a hide and, based on those characteristics, thetanning control system can identify a particular customer specificationto use to sort, fold, stack, and package the hide. For example, acustomer specification can include a sorting specification (i.e. anindication of acceptable hide characteristics, as requested by thecustomer), a folding specification (i.e. an indication of how to foldthe hides, as requested by the customer), a stacking specification (i.e.an indication of how to stack the hides, as requested by the customer),and a packaging specification (i.e. an indication of how to package thehides, as requested by the customer). Thus, in one or more embodiments,a tanning control system can sort, fold, stack, and package a first typeof hide according to a first customer specification and a second type ofhide according to a second customer specification. Moreover, one or moreembodiments can automate the packaging of hides according to customerspecifications without the use of human intervention. Thus, one or moreembodiments improve the flexibility of packaging hides and also reducethe time and cost needed to package hides in accordance with multipledifferent customer specifications.

For example, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a tannery system100 (or simply “system 100”) for processing raw animal hides intoleather in accordance with some embodiments. An overview of system 100will be described next in relation to FIG. 1. Thereafter, a moredetailed description of the components and processes of system 100 willbe described in relation to the remaining figures.

As illustrated by FIG. 1, the system 100 can include a tanning facility102. As illustrated in FIG. 1, tanning facility 102 can include atanning system 104, a hide sorting system 106, and/or a customizedprocessing system 108. Moreover, as FIG. 1 illustrates, the system 100can include a hide supply system 110 and/or a leather finishing system112. As explained in greater detail below, each component 104-108 of thetanning facility 102, as well as components 110 and 112, can be managedand/or controlled by one or more computing devices.

In general, and as FIG. 1 illustrates, system 100 can include a hidesupply system 110 that provides raw animal hides obtained from theslaughter of certain animals. For example, the hide supply system 110provides raw animal hides to tanning system 104 of tanning facility 102.Tanning system 104 employs various tanning systems, processes,machinery, and apparatuses to transform the raw animal hides intoleather. After the tanning system 104 transforms the hides into leather,a hide sorting system 106 then sorts and stacks the hides. After thehides are sorted and stacked by hide sorting system 106, a customizedprocessing system 108 can provide further processing (e.g., rewetting,trimming, splitting, folding, etc.) according to additional customizedspecifications (e.g., a customer order or requirements in a customerspecification). Following processing by customized processing system108, a leather finishing system 112 produces finished leather from thehides.

In one or more embodiments of system 100, hide supply system 110 can bea slaughterhouse. For example, hide supply system 110 can be aslaughterhouse for hooved livestock (e.g., cattle, sheep, pigs, goats,etc.) or a slaughterhouse for exotic animals (e.g., deer, bison,buffalo, ostrich, kangaroo, crocodile, alligator, snake, eel, andstingray). Alternatively, in one or more embodiments of system 100, hidesupply system 110 can be a knackery (i.e. a facility where animals arenot slaughtered for human consumption). Additionally, in one or moreembodiments of system 100, hide supply system 110 can be part of, andphysically located within, tanning facility 102.

Regardless of whether hide supply system 110 is a slaughterhouse,knackery, or a system within tanning facility 102, hide supply system110 produces raw animal hides that can be tanned into leather by tanningfacility 102. In one or more embodiments, hide supply system 110 obtainsraw animal hides by skinning animals as part of the slaughteringprocess. Further, in one or more embodiments, hide supply system 110 canperform curing of the raw animal hides either by treating the raw animalhides with salt (e.g., by wet-salting or brine-curing the hides) orpreserving the raw animal hides at a cold temperature (e.g., by packingthe hides with ice). Moreover, in one or more embodiments, hide supplysystem 110 can pack the raw animal hides, whether cured or uncured, intotransport containers, which are then loaded onto a transport vehicle(e.g., a semi-trailer truck) for delivery to tanning facility 102.

Additionally, in one or more embodiments hide supply system 110 can useone or more computing devices to generate and store hide supplierinformation to associate with hides that the hide supply system 110provides. For example, hide supply system 110 can mark or otherwiseassociate a container of hides with various types of hide supplierinformation. In one or more embodiments, hide supply system 110 cangenerate a hide supplier information file to associate with a containerof hides, provide access to the hide supplier information file to thetanning facility 102, and tag the transport container (e.g., with acomputer readable code, such as a barcode or QR code) so that thetanning facility 102 can access the hide supplier information file uponreceiving the container of hides (e.g., scanning the barcode or QR codeto access the hide supplier information over a network).

The hide supplier information can include various types of information.For example, the hide supplier information may include a plantidentifier (e.g., a slaughterhouse name and/or location), transportvehicle identifiers (e.g., semi-trailer truck vehicle identificationnumbers or VINs), transport container identifiers (e.g., uniquenumerical identifiers), and a date of slaughter for the raw animalhides. In addition, the hide supplier information can includeinformation related to hide characteristics, such as hide type, packagedhide weight, pre-packed hide weight, source of hides (e.g., cattle ranchlocation) and any other hide characteristic. Accordingly, in one or moreembodiments, hide supply system 110 can then use one or more computingdevices to provide the hide supplier information to tanning facility 102in order to facilitate greater traceability of hides and enable tanningfacility 102 to further refine its tanning processes.

Alternatively or additionally, in one or more embodiments hide supplysystem 110 can provide hide supplier information in documentation thataccompanies the transport vehicle and/or transport containers receivedby tanning facility 102. For example, in one or more embodiments hidesupply system 110 can mark transport containers of raw animal hides withhide supplier information labels which can be read or input into one ormore computing devices of tanning facility 102 (e.g., a tanning systemdatabase of a tanning control system as discussed in greater detailbelow). Accordingly, the input of hide supplier information from hidesupply system 110 into one or more computing devices of tanning facility102 enables traceability of hides from their origin. Thus, this level oftraceability assists tanning facility 102 in troubleshooting problems orreducing inefficiencies in tanning processes that may be due to issuesassociated with a particular hide supply system 110.

As further illustrated by FIG. 1, one or more embodiments of system 100include a tanning system 104 that can receive raw animal hides from hidesupply system 110. For example, in one or more embodiments, tanningsystem 104 can receive raw animal hides in transport containers shippedfrom hide supply system 110 to tanning facility 102 using a transportvehicle. Further, after receiving raw animal hides, tanning system 104can transform the raw animal hides into leather. As an example, in oneor more embodiments, tanning system 104 uses various systems, processes,machinery, and apparatuses to transform raw animal hides into wet-blueleather hides. As an alternative example, in one or more embodiments,tanning system 104 uses various systems, processes, machinery, andapparatuses to transform raw animal hides into wet-white leather hides.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments, tanning system 104 can generateand store tannery process information related to batches of raw animalhides and associate or incorporate hide supplier information into thetannery process information to provide improved traceability. Also, asdiscussed in greater detail below, tanning system 104 can use one ormore computing devices to manage and control the various systems,processes, machinery, and apparatuses used to convert the raw animalhides into leather.

As FIG. 1 illustrates, one or more embodiments of tanning facility 102include a hide sorting system 106. More specifically, in one or moreembodiments hide sorting system 106 receives hides produced by thetanning processes of tanning system 104. For example, hide sortingsystem 106 can receive hides that are automatically transported fromtanning system 104 to hide sorting system 106 (e.g., via a conveyorsystem). As an alternative example, hide sorting system 106 can receivehides that are manually transported from tanning system 104 to hidesorting system 106 (e.g., via rolling carts).

Further, in one or more embodiments hide sorting system 106 grades thehides received from tanning system 104. For example, hide sorting system106 can grade the hides using computer vision and machine learningtechniques that assign a grade to each hide. Alternatively, hide sortingsystem 106 can grade the hides manually using a human operator toinspect each hide and assign a grade to each hide.

The grading system used by hide sorting system 106 can be a nationalhide grading standard, an international hide grading standard, anindustry-wide hide grading standard, or a proprietary hide gradingstandard. For example, a proprietary hide grading standard can assign an“AA” grade to hides that include a single butt brand, light healedscratches through the prime, isolated light open scratches at themargins, and are suitable for full grain aniline or semi-aniline leatherapplications; an “AS” grade to hides that include two butt brands orbutt and center brands, light healed scratches through the prime,isolated light open scratches at the margins, and are suitable for fullgrain aniline or semi-aniline leather applications; a “B” grade to hidesthat include up to two brands, including both butt and rib brands, withmedium healed scratches and open scratches through the prime, and aresuitable for pigmented or lightly tanned leather applications; and a “C”grade to hides that include multiple brands, minimal open scratches,multiple healed scratches throughout the hides, and are suitable forcorrected grain leather applications.

As an alternative example, a proprietary hide grading standard canassign an “A” grade to hides that are free from parasite damage, containbutt brands, have light open and healed scratches throughout the prime,and are suitable for full grain aniline or semi-aniline leatherapplications; a “B” grade to hides that have healed parasite damage atthe margins, butt brands, medium healed and open scratches in the prime,and are suitable for pigmented or lightly tanned leather applications; a“C” grade to hides that have heavy parasite damage, multiple brands,open scratches through the prime, and are suitable for corrected grainleather; and a “Reject” grade to hides that are misshapen, damaged, orhave gross processing defects, but nevertheless are suitable for heavilyembossed leathers.

In one or more embodiments, hide sorting system 106 sorts, folds,stacks, and packs each hide in response to, at least in part, a gradebeing assigned to each hide. For example, hide sorting system 106 caninclude a plurality of stacking sites, such that hides of the same gradecan be sorted, folded, stacked, and packed at the same stacking site.Additionally, in one or more embodiments, hide sorting system 106 canperform rewetting, sammying (i.e. wringing), shaving, trimming, and/orsplitting of the hides prior to sorting, folding, and stacking each hideat a particular stacking site.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments, the hide sorting system 106 cantag, mark, or otherwise label each hide with a unique hide identifierthat can be stored by one or more computing devices of tanning facility102 for purposes of improved traceability and quality assurance.Furthermore, the hide sorting system 106 can associate the unique hideidentifier for each hide with the assigned grade for each hide, as wellas other tannery process information that the tanning facility 102 cangenerate and store using one or more computing devices. In one or moreembodiments, the tanning facility 102 can assign a unique hideidentifier before a grade is assigned to a particular hide, oralternatively, the hide sorting system 106 can assign a grade to a hidebefore a unique hide identifier is assigned to a particular hide. Thus,the association of a unique hide identifier to a grade of a hide canoccur once the hide sorting system 106 determines both items ofinformation.

As further illustrated by FIG. 1, tanning facility 102 can include acustomized processing system 108. In one or more embodiments, customizedprocessing system 108 receives hides that the hide sorting system 106has previously graded. For example, customized processing system 108 canreceive hides that are automatically transported (e.g., via a conveyorsystem) from hide sorting system 106, or alternatively, customizedprocessing system 108 can receive hides that are manually transported(e.g., via rolling carts) from hide sorting system 106.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments, customized processing system 108performs further processing on hides. As an example, customizedprocessing system 108 can rewet and/or wring (i.e. sammy) hides to amoisture level according to customer requirements (e.g., as indicated bya customer order or customer specification). As a further example,customized processing system 108 can trim and/or shave the hides to aparticular size, split the hides to a specified thickness, and/or foldthe hides in a certain manner. Thus, customized processing system 108can perform one or more processes, including for example, trimming,shaving, splitting, and folding, and the one or more processes can betailored according to customer requirements (e.g., as indicated by acustomer order or customer specification). Furthermore, in one or moreembodiments, customized processing system 108 can pack the hides forshipment or storage purposes.

FIG. 1 further illustrates that system 100 can include a leatherfinishing system 112. In one or more embodiments, leather finishingsystem 112 receives hides from tanning facility 102 and transforms thosehides into finished leather using a variety of processes. For example,leather finishing system 112 can perform any number of leather finishingprocesses, including retanning, coloring, fatliquoring, setting out,drying, conditioning, staking, dry milling, buffing, finishing, and/orplating. Once leather finishing system 112 converts the hides intofinished leather, leather product manufacturers can use the finishedleather to make leather products for end consumers.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed schematic diagram of a system 200 that, inaccordance with one or more embodiments, shows a hide sorting system 106of a tanning facility 102 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 further illustrates that inone or more embodiments system 200 includes tanning system 104 andcustomized processing system 108 of FIG. 1. Moreover, as shown by FIG.2, the system 200 includes a tanning control system 202. In addition,FIG. 2 shows that hide sorting system 106 includes a measuring system204, a routing manager 206, a routing system 208, a classifying system210, a routing system 212, and a stacking system 214.

Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, tanning system 104, hidesorting system 106, and customized processing system 108 can include oneor more computing devices, as described herein. Likewise, in one or moreembodiments, tanning control system 202, measuring system 204, routingmanager 206, routing system 208, classifying system 210, routing system212, and stacking system 214 can also include one or more computingdevices, as described in further detail below.

As shown in FIG. 2, one or more embodiments of the hide sorting system106 include a measuring system 204 that can measure one or morecharacteristics of each hide processed by hide sorting system 106. Inparticular, measuring system 204 can measure one or more characteristicsof each hide received from tanning system 104 and provide datarepresenting the one or more measured characteristics to tanning controlsystem 202. Accordingly, tanning control system 202 can determine thesorting of each hide based, at least in part, on one or morecharacteristics of each hide, as measured and provided by measuringsystem 204.

Measuring system 204 can measure a variety of hide characteristics thatinclude, but are not limited to, weight, thickness, length, width,surface area, presence of butt brands or scratches, etc. To illustrate,measuring system 204 can include one or more measuring devicescommunicatively connected to tanning control system 202. For example,measuring system 204 can include a weight scale that determines a weightfor each hide received from tanning system 104. In particular, theweight scale can include one or more load cells supporting a conveyor,such that the one or more load cells detect a weight for each hide asthe hide passes along the conveyor.

As another example, measuring system 204 can include a conveyor coupledwith one or more sensors (e.g., roller sensors) that determine athickness, length, and/or width for each hide received from tanningsystem 104. More specifically, one or more sensors can determine athickness of each hide by detecting an amount that each hide displacesthe one or more sensors when moved along the conveyor. Further, one ormore sensors can determine a length of each hide by, for example,determining the speed of the conveyor and detecting an amount of timethat the one or more sensors are displaced as the hide moves along theconveyor. Additionally or alternatively, measuring system 204 can detecta number of revolutions of roller sensors to determine a length of eachhide as the hide passes through the roller sensors. Moreover, measuringsystem 204 can determine a width for each hide by arranging one or moresensors across a conveyor and detecting which of the one or more sensorscome in contact with each hide as they pass through the conveyor.Furthermore, by determining the length and width of each leather hide,measuring system 204 can also then determine the surface area of eachhide.

As a further example, measuring system 204 can include a machine visiondevice (e.g., camera, scanner, photo cell, etc. coupled to a computingdevice) that determines the length, width, and/or surface area of eachhide. In particular, a machine vision device can capture an image ofeach hide and determine the length, width, and/or surface area based onthe captured image. Moreover, a machine vision device can detect thepresence of butt brands and/or scratches on each hide by analyzing animage of one or more sides of each hide.

Additionally, in one or more embodiments measuring system 204 caninclude a marking device that marks each hide with a unique hideidentifier. For example, measuring system 204 can generate a unique hideidentifier for a hide, direct a marking device to mark the hide with theunique hide identifier, and then communicate the unique hide identifierto tanning control system 202. Alternatively, measuring system 204 canreceive a unique hide identifier of a hide generated by tanning controlsystem 202 and, in turn, direct a marking device to mark the hide withthe unique hide identifier.

Moreover, measuring system 204 can also include a wringing (i.e.sammying) machine that wrings each hide to a particular moisture level.For example, a wringing machine can wring each hide to a staticpredetermined moisture level. Alternatively, a wringing machine canwring each hide to a moisture level received from tanning control system202. More specifically, tanning control system 202 can determine amoisture level based on a batch identifier associated with each hideand/or one or more other characteristics of the hide and provide thatmoisture level to a wringing machine to ensure each hide has a correctmoisture level.

Furthermore, measuring system 204 can include a trimming machine and/ora shaving machine that trims and/or shaves each hide to particulardimensions. For example, a trimming machine can modify the length and/orwidth of hides (e.g., by removing uneven edges or excess material fromeach hide). Likewise, a shaving machine can modify the thickness ofhides (e.g., by cutting the top and/or bottom surfaces of each hide).The trimming machine and shaving machine can operate according to eitherpredetermined settings or one or more settings specified by tanningcontrol system 202 and provided to measuring system 204 (e.g., based oncustomer specifications).

Additionally, when measuring system 204 receives one or more hides fromtanning system 104, measuring system 204 can provide tanning controlsystem 202 with a batch identifier associated with the one or morehides. For example, a human operator can input into measuring system 204(e.g., via a user interface of a computing device) a batch identifierassociated with one or more hides (e.g., by manually inputting the batchidentifier, scanning a barcode on a rolling cart, etc.). In turn,measuring system 204 can provide the batch identifier to tanning controlsystem 202.

Alternatively, tanning control system 202 can determine a batchidentifier associated with one or more hides being processed bymeasuring system 204 (e.g., by identifying a batch identifier associatedwith the most recently unloaded tanning drum which measuring system 204has not yet begun processing). Accordingly, by determining a batchidentifier associated with the one or more hides that measuring system204 is processing, tanning control system 202 can then sort the one ormore hides based, at least in part, on characteristics associated withthe determined batch identifier (e.g., characteristics determined duringprior tanning processes).

As FIG. 2 illustrates, once measuring system 204 determines one or morecharacteristics of a hide and/or a batch identifier associated with thehide, measuring system 204 can communicate that characteristic and/orthe batch identifier to tanning control system 202. In response, and asalso shown by FIG. 2, tanning control system 202 can communicate withrouting manager 206 to direct routing system 208 to transport the hidefrom measuring system 204 to classifying system 210. Alternatively, inone or more embodiments, routing system 208 can automatically transportthe hide from measuring system 204 to classifying system 210, withoutthe need for direction or control signals from routing manager 206.

Thus, in one or more embodiments, routing manager 206 can include acomputing device communicatively coupled to tanning control system 202and routing system 208. In particular, routing manager 206 can include acomputing device, such as a programmable logic controller (“PLC”).Further, in one or more embodiments, routing system 208 can include aconveyor system (e.g., a belt conveyor) in communication with routingmanager 208.

FIG. 2 further illustrates that one or more embodiments include aclassifying system 210 that classifies each hide processed by hidesorting system 106. More specifically, classifying system 210 determinesa classification for each hide received from measuring system 204 andthen classifying system 210 provides the determined classification totanning control system 202. Accordingly, tanning control system 202 candirect the sorting of each hide based, at least in part, on theclassification that classifying system 210 determines for each hide.

Classifying system 210 can determine and assign various classificationsto each hide. In some embodiments, classifying system 210 determines andassigns a hide grade as the classification (e.g., a grade according to anational hide grading standard, international hide grading standard,industry-wide hide grading standard, or a proprietary hide gradingstandard, as discussed above). In other embodiments, classifying system210 determines and assigns a category as the classification, wherein thecategory can distinguish between various hides (e.g., weight category,length category, width category, surface area category, thicknesscategory, shape category, blemish category (scrape/brand), etc.).

Moreover, in one or more embodiments classifying system 210 can includea classifying device. For example, a classifying device can include aconveyor positioned to hold a hide and enable a human operator to viewthe hide to determine a classification (e.g., a grade) for the hide.Further, once the human operator determines the classification for ahide, the human operator can provide user input to classifying systemthat specifies the classification (e.g., by providing user input to acomputing device of classifying system 210, such as by pressing a buttoncoupled to a PLC). In turn, classifying system 210 can provide anindication of the classification to tanning control system 202. Asanother example, a classifying device can include a computer visiondevice (e.g., camera, scanner, photo cell, etc. coupled to a computingdevice) that determines a classification for a hide by capturing andanalyzing an image of the hide. Thus, once the computer vision devicedetermines a classification for a hide, the computer vision device canprovide an indication of the classification to tanning control system202 (e.g., via communication over a network).

As shown by FIG. 2, once classifying system 210 provides aclassification of a hide to tanning control system 202, tanning controlsystem 202 can respond by communicating with routing manager 206 totransport the hide from classifying system 210 to a particular stackingsite of stacking system 214 via routing system 212. Accordingly, in oneor more embodiments, routing system 212 can include a conveyor system(e.g., a belt conveyor) in communication with routing manager 208.Additionally, routing system 212 can include a folding table thatfacilitates the folding of pliable hides by a folding device, butprevents the pliable hides from falling to the ground and/or foldingimproperly.

Furthermore, in one or more embodiments stacking system 214 can includea plurality of stacking sites. In particular, each stacking site caninclude one or more pallets to stack hides on. Also, each stacking sitecan include a weight scale (e.g., load cells) that detects the weight ofhides loaded onto a particular pallet. Thus, stacking system 214 cancommunicate to tanning control system 202 the load (i.e. weight) on aparticular pallet and tanning control system 202 can then use thisinformation in determining how to route hides to particular stackingsites (e.g., by determining whether particular stacking sites are empty,partially full, or full). Additionally, each stacking site of stackingsystem 214 can include a folding device that folds hides in a specifiedmanner (e.g., as directed by tanning control system 202 according to afolding specification).

Moreover, in one or more embodiments stacking system 214 and/or eachstacking site can communicate a stacking site status (e.g., “Empty”,“Partially Full”, or “Full/Inactive”) to tanning control system 202 foruse in the hide sorting process. The stacking site status can be basedon the weight and/or number of the hides at a particular stacking site.A stacking site with a status of “Empty” can receive any acceptable hideof any characteristics, classification, and associated batch identifier.In contrast, a stacking site with a status of “Partially Full” canreceive any hide that is compatible with the characteristics of thehides already stacked at that site. Further, a stacking site with astatus of “Full/Inactive” cannot receive any additional hides (i.e.until the full pallet is removed from the stacking site and replacedwith an empty pallet using either manual labor or automated machinery).Thus, in one or more embodiments tanning control system 202 can considerthe stacking site status of each stacking site when determining how toroute a hide from classifying system 210 to a particular stacking siteof stacking system 214 via routing system 212.

As already discussed, in one or more embodiments, tanning control system202 receives indications or measurements of one or more characteristicsof a hide from measuring system 204. Tanning control system 202 can alsoreceive, from measuring system 204, a batch identifier associated with ahide or, alternatively, tanning control system 202 can independentlydetermine a batch identifier associated with a hide that measuringsystem 204 is processing. Further, tanning control system 202 canreceive, from classifying system 210, one or more classifications of thehide. Thus, in one or more embodiments tanning control system 202 candetermine how to route a hide from classifying system 210 to aparticular stacking site of stacking system 214 via routing system 212(e.g., a conveyor system) based on any combination of one or morecharacteristics of the hide, the batch identifier associated with thehide, characteristics associated with the batch identifier of the hide,and/or the classification of the hide.

Moreover, as previously mentioned, in one or more embodiments tanningcontrol system 202 generates a unique hide identifier for each hide thathide sorting system 106 processes. To improve the traceability of hidesorting processes, tanning control system 202 can store the unique hideidentifier in a tanning system database. Further, upon receiving one ormore characteristics of a hide from measuring system 204, tanningcontrol system 202 can associate the one or more characteristics withthe unique hide identifier and store the one or more characteristics inthe tanning system database. Similarly, upon receiving one or moreclassifications of a hide from classifying system 210, tanning controlsystem 202 can associate the one or more classifications with the uniquehide identifier and store the one or more classifications in the tanningsystem database. Moreover, upon stacking a hide at a particular stackingsite, tanning control system 202 can associate the unique hideidentifier with a unique stack identifier of the stacking site and/or aunique pallet identifier of the pallet the hide is on, and such anassociation can also be stored in the tanning system database.Accordingly, by recording and associating such information, tanningcontrol system 202 enhances the traceability of hides, therebyfacilitating the troubleshooting of tanning processes, which in turn canlead to the improvement of those same processes.

In addition, in one or more embodiments tanning control system 202 canidentify unique device identifiers for each component or device used tosort and package a particular hide. For example, tanning control system202 can identify a unique device identifier for each component or deviceof measuring system 204, routing system 208, classifying system 210,routing system 212, and stacking system 214 used to process a particularhide. Further, tanning control system 202 can associate these uniquedevice identifiers with the unique hide identifier of the particularhide and store this information in a tanning system database. Thus,identifying and storing device identifiers of devices used to process aparticular hide facilitates improvements in tanning processes andtroubleshooting of those processes.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B, which illustrate a sequence-flow diagramof interactions between the measuring system 204, the classifying system210, the tanning control system 202, and the routing manager 206 of FIG.2. The sequence-flow diagram of FIGS. 3A-3B illustrates an exampleprocess flow of interactions between the measuring system 204, theclassifying system 210, the tanning control system 202, and the routingmanager 206 of FIG. 2. In particular, FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate that in oneor more embodiments the tanning control system 202 controls and/orcommunicates with measuring system 204, classifying system 210, androuting manager 206 to sort a hide to a particular stacking site (e.g.,on a pallet located at a stacking site of stacking system 214).

As FIG. 3A illustrates, step 302 includes receiving a hide. Morespecifically, measuring system 204 receives a hide from a tanning system(e.g., tanning system 104). For example, measuring system 204 canreceive a hide that is manually transported from a tanning drum of atanning system (e.g., through the use of one or more human operators whomanually carry the hide or use a rolling cart). As an alternativeexample, measuring system 204 can receive a hide that is automaticallytransported from a tanning drum of a tanning system (e.g., through theuse of a conveyor system).

Moreover, measuring system 204 can receive a hide in a variety of otherways. For example, measuring system 204 can receive a hide by detectingthe loading of the hide into a measuring device of measuring system 204.As another example, measuring system 204 can include a conveyor system,and thus, receiving a hide can include detecting that a hide has beenloaded onto the conveyor system. As a further example, measuring system204 can include a wringing machine. Accordingly, receiving a hide atmeasuring system 204 can include detecting the loading of the hide intothe wringing machine. Additionally or alternatively, receiving a hide atmeasuring system 204 can also include receiving user input from a humanoperator that indicates the loading of a hide into measuring system 204.

As shown by FIG. 3A, step 304 includes determining a characteristic ofthe hide. For example, one or more measuring devices of measuring system204 determine one or more characteristics of the hide. As anotherexample, measuring system 204 determines one or more characteristics ofthe hide by receiving user input that specifies the one or morecharacteristics (e.g., via user input into a user interface of acomputing device coupled to measuring system 204). Thus, by determininga characteristic of the hide, measuring system 204 can improve thequality and consistency of hides by obtaining more information about thehides processed and sorted by a hide sorting system, such as hidesorting system 106.

As FIG. 3A illustrates, step 306 includes providing the characteristicof the hide to tanning control system 202. In particular, in one or moreembodiments measuring system 204 provides a hide characteristiccommunication to tanning control system 202 (e.g., via a communicationnetwork). For example, measuring system 204 can provide a hidecharacteristic communication that includes a single hide characteristicas measured or determined by a device of measuring system 204.Alternatively, measuring system 204 can provide a hide characteristiccommunication that includes multiple hide characteristics as measured ordetermined by one or more devices of measuring system 204. As a result,measuring system 204 can assist tanning control system 202 in sortingthe hide by providing detailed information concerning thecharacteristics and/or state of the hide.

As further shown by FIG. 3A, step 308 includes determining a hideidentifier for the hide. In particular, tanning control system 202generates a unique hide identifier for the hide. For example, tanningcontrol system 202 can generate a unique hide identifier using a randomnumber generator. As another example, tanning control system 202 cangenerate a unique hide identifier using a timestamp and/or date stamp.As yet another example, tanning control system 202 can generate a uniquehide identifier as a sequential number for each hide (e.g., 1, 2, 3,etc.).

Further, tanning control system 202 can generate the unique hideidentifier according to a hide identifier format. For example, the hideidentifier format can include one or more alphanumeric characters whichindicate the identifier relates to an individual hide (e.g., the letter“H” for hide), followed by two numerical characters specifying the monthof processing the hide (e.g., “05” for May), followed by two numericalcharacters specifying the date of processing the hide (e.g., “15” forthe 15^(th) day of May), and a sequential hide number. Moreover,determining a hide identifier for the hide may also includeconcatenating or adding a batch identifier associated with the hide to aunique hide identifier generated by tanning control system 202.

As FIG. 3A illustrates, step 310 includes associating the characteristicof the hide with the hide identifier. More specifically, tanning controlsystem 202 associates the characteristic of the hide with the hideidentifier by storing the characteristic of the hide and the hideidentifier in a tanning system database. Furthermore, tanning controlsystem 202 can associate the characteristic of the hide with the hideidentifier by linking the characteristic of the hide to the hideidentifier in the tanning system database (e.g., creating a databaserelationship between a hide characteristic table and a unique hideidentifier table). Associating such information in a tanning systemdatabase facilitates greater traceability of hides throughout thetanning processes and further assists in troubleshooting tanningprocesses.

As FIG. 3A shows, in one or more embodiments, step 312 includesdetermining a batch identifier of the hide. For example, measuringsystem 204 can determine a batch identifier of the hide by receivinguser input from a human operator that specifies the batch identifier ofthe hide. As another example, measuring system 204 can determine a batchidentifier of the hide by receiving an indication of the batchidentifier from the tanning drum that processed the hide. Furthermore,in one or more embodiments tanning control system 202 generates andassociates batch identifiers with hides during the unloading and tanningprocesses of tanning system 104.

Moreover, as FIG. 3A illustrates, step 314 includes providing the batchidentifier of the hide to tanning control system 202. More specifically,in one or more embodiments measuring system 204 provides a batchidentifier communication that indicates the batch identifier to tanningcontrol system 202 (e.g., via a communication network). Furthermore, inone or more embodiments, measuring system 204 can combine the batchidentifier communication and the hide characteristic communicationdiscussed above into a single communication to tanning control system202 (e.g., combining steps 306 and 314 into a single step). Thus,providing a batch identifier to tanning control system 202 enablestanning control system 202 to sort the hide based, at least in part, onthe batch identifier of the hide and/or one or more characteristicsassociated with the batch identifier of the hide (e.g., batch hide type,plant identifier, etc.).

Alternatively, tanning control system 202 can determine the batchidentifier of the hide without having measuring system 204 provide thebatch identifier. More specifically, in one or more embodiments tanningcontrol system 202 can track the batch identifiers of all batchesprocessed by tanning system 104 and then determine a batch identifier ofa batch that was most recently unloaded from a tanning drum but has notyet been processed by measuring system 204 (e.g., determining a batchidentifier of a hide in a first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) manner). Forexample, tanning control system 202 can utilize a tanning systemdatabase to identify a batch identifier of a tanning drum that wasunloaded most recently and has not yet been processed by measuringsystem 204.

As FIG. 3A shows, step 316 includes associating the characteristics ofthe batch identifier with the hide identifier. In particular, tanningcontrol system 202 associates the characteristics of the batchidentifier with the hide identifier by storing the characteristics ofthe batch identifier and the hide identifier in a tanning systemdatabase. Furthermore, tanning control system 202 can associate thecharacteristics of the batch identifier with the hide identifier bylinking the characteristics of the batch identifier to the hideidentifier in the tanning system database (e.g., creating a databaserelationship between a batch characteristics table and a unique hideidentifier table). Associating the characteristics of the batchidentifier with the hide identifier enhances traceability by linking thehide sorting processes of hide sorting system 106 back to the tanningprocesses of tanning system 104.

As further illustrated by FIG. 3A, step 318 includes optionallyproviding the hide identifier to measuring system 204. For example,tanning control system 202 can provide a marking communication to amarking device of measuring system 204, wherein the markingcommunication indicates the hide identifier. Furthermore, in one or moreembodiments, the marking communication can include other informationthat a marking device may use to mark the hide. As an example, themarking communication can include one or more of the batch identifierassociated with the hide, the batch hide type associated with the hide,the hide identifier of the hide, as well as one or more othercharacteristics associated with the batch identifier and/or the hideidentifier. Additionally or alternatively, the marking communication caninclude an indication of a marking type (e.g., emboss, engrave, print,stamp, label, etc.) that indicates the type of mark that a markingdevice of measuring system 204 is to apply to the hide.

As FIG. 3A shows, step 320 includes optionally marking the hide with thehide identifier. In particular, measuring system 204 can mark the hideaccording to the capabilities of one or more marking devices. Forexample, measuring system 204 can include an embossing machine thatembosses the hide with the hide identifier. As another example,measuring system 204 can include an engraving machine that engraves thehide identifier into the hide. As a further example, measuring system204 can include a printer (e.g., laser, ink, etc.) that prints the hideidentifier on the hide. In one or more embodiments, measuring system 204can include a stamping machine that stamps the hide with the hideidentifier. Additionally or alternatively, measuring system 204 caninclude a labeling machine that applies a label of the hide identifierto the hide. Accordingly, marking the hide provides improvedtraceability of hides.

As FIG. 3A further illustrates, step 322 includes providing a routingcommunication to routing manager 206. More specifically, the routingcommunication indicates how to move the hide from the measuring system204 to the classifying system 210 via routing system 208. For example,some hide sorting systems can include multiple measuring systems and/ordevices, as well as multiple routing systems and/or multiple classifyingsystems. Thus, the routing communication can include an identificationof the particular measuring system that has the hide, an identificationof the particular classifying system that is to receive the hide, and anidentification of the routing system to use to transport the hide fromthe particular measuring system to the particular classifying system.

Consequently, in one or more embodiments, routing manager 206 can usesuch a routing communication to communicate with the appropriate routingsystem to move the hide as needed. As another example, other hidesorting systems may include only a single measuring system and a singleclassifying system connected via a single routing system (e.g., as shownby FIG. 2). In such a case, the routing communication can include acontrol signal or trigger that causes the routing system to move a hidefrom the measuring system to the classifying system, without the needfor any additional routing information. Regardless, as FIG. 3Billustrates, after receiving the routing communication, step 324includes moving the hide according to the routing communication.

As FIG. 3B also shows, step 326 includes determining a grade of thehide. For example and as previously discussed, classifying system 210can determine a grade of the hide by receiving user input from a humanoperator, wherein the user input specifies the grade. As another exampleand as discussed above, classifying system 210 can determine a grade ofthe hide using a computer vision device that captures and analyzes animage of the hide. More specifically, in one or more embodiments thecomputer vision device can determine a grade of the hide by counting anumber of butt brands and/or scratches on the hide (i.e. the fewer buttbrands and/or scratches, the higher the quality grade). Moreover, thecomputer vision device can determine a grade of the hide by determiningthe location of any butt brands and/or scratches (i.e. higher grades forhides with butt brands and/or scratches on the margins of the hide,lower grades for hides with butt brands and/or scratches on the interiorof the hide).

Further, as FIG. 3B illustrates, step 328 includes providing the gradeof the hide to tanning control system 202. In particular, in one or moreembodiments classifying system 210 provides a hide grade communicationto tanning control system 202 (e.g., via a communication network). Forexample, classifying system 210 can provide a hide grade communicationthat includes a single hide grade as determined by classifying system210. Alternatively, classifying system 210 can provide a hide gradecommunication that includes multiple hide grades as determined byclassifying system 204 (e.g., a quality grade, a size grade, a buttbrand grade, and a scratch grade, etc.). As a result, classifying system210 can assist tanning control system 202 in sorting the hide based, atleast in part, on one or more grades of hide.

As further shown by FIG. 3B, step 330 includes associating the grade ofthe hide with the hide identifier. More specifically, tanning controlsystem 202 associates the grade of the hide with the hide identifier bystoring the grade of the hide and the hide identifier in a tanningsystem database. Moreover, tanning control system 202 can associate thegrade of the hide with the hide identifier by linking the grade of thehide to the hide identifier in the tanning system database (e.g.,creating a database relationship between a hide grade table and a uniquehide identifier table). Associating the grade of the hide with the hideidentifier facilitates greater traceability and enables the tanningcontrol system 202 to sort and package the hide based, at least in part,on the grade.

As FIG. 3B illustrates, step 332 includes sorting the hide. Inparticular, tanning control system 202 can sort the hide in a variety ofways. For example, tanning control system 202 can sort the hide byidentifying a stacking site of stacking system 214. In one or moreembodiments, identifying a stacking site of stacking system 214 caninclude determining a stacking site status for each stacking site ofstacking system 214. Moreover, identifying a stacking site of stackingsystem 214 can include determining whether a stack at each of the one ormore stacking sites is compatible with the hide. More specifically,determining whether a stack is compatible with the hide can includedetermining whether the relevant characteristics of the hides on thestack are the same or sufficiently similar to the relevantcharacteristics of the hide, such that the hide can be sorted to thestack.

For example, determining whether a stack is compatible with the hide caninclude determining that the classification of the hide is the same asthe classification of the hides already on the stack. As anotherexample, determining whether a stack is compatible can includedetermining that the hide type of the hide (e.g., as determined based onthe batch hide type associated with the batch identifier of the hide) isthe same as the hide type of the hides already on the stack. As afurther example, determining whether a stack is compatible can includedetermining that prior tanning process characteristics (e.g., tanneryprocess information, such as batch identifier, tanning recipe, chromingdrum, plant identifier, etc.) associated with the hide are the same asprior tanning process characteristics associated with the hides alreadyon the stack. Thus, tanning control system 202 can sort the hideaccording to a variety of criteria and hide characteristics, includingbut not limited to, classification (e.g., grade), weight, surface area,hide type, and batch identifier.

Moreover, tanning control system 202 can sort the hide by determining apallet that is compatible with one or more characteristics of the hide.More specifically, determining a pallet that is compatible can includedetermining whether the relevant characteristics of the hides on thepallet are the same or sufficiently similar to the relevantcharacteristics of the hide, such that the hide can be sorted to thepallet. Thus, determining a pallet that is compatible can includeanalyzing the characteristics of the hides sorted to each active palletat each stacking site of stacking system 214. Moreover, determining apallet that is compatible can include comparing and/or matching one ormore characteristics of the hide with one or more characteristics ofhides already on the pallet. Furthermore, identifying a pallet can alsoinclude determining a pallet status (e.g., similar to a stacking sitestatus). In addition, determining a pallet that is compatible caninclude identifying a stacking site associated with the pallet.

Furthermore, while tanning control system 202 can sort the hide, in somesituations two or more stacking sites (or pallets) may be compatiblewith the hide. For example, in such situations, tanning control system202 can sort the hide by determining that two or more stacking sites (orpallets) are compatible and, in response to such a determination,routing the hide to the compatible stacking site (or pallet) that isclosest to full. As another example, tanning control system 202 can sortthe hide by determining that two or more stacking sites (or pallets) arecompatible and, in response to such a determination, routing the hide tothe compatible stacking site (or pallet) that is closest to empty.Further, in one or more other embodiments, tanning control system 202can sort the hide according to other rationales when one or morestacking sites (or pallets) are compatible with the hide (e.g., customerpriority level, order urgency, etc.).

Moreover, in one or more embodiments, tanning control system 202 cansort the hide according to one or more customer specifications. Morespecifically, a customer specification can include one or moreindications of characteristics of hides desired by a particularcustomer. For example, a customer specification can be generated from acustomer order that specifies a desired hide classification (e.g.,grade), hide type, weight, and/or surface area. Furthermore, tanningcontrol system 202 can sort the hide according to one or more customerspecifications by identifying a customer specification associated withone or more active stacking sites (or pallets) and comparing thecharacteristics of the hide to the desired characteristics specified bythe customer specification associated with each of the one or moreactive stacking sites (or pallets). Thus, a customer specification caninclude a data file stored by tanning control system 202 in a data fileformat, such as Extensible Markup Language (“XML”) or JavaScript ObjectNotation (“JSON”). Furthermore, as previously mentioned, a customerspecification can include a sorting specification, a foldingspecification, a stacking specification, and a packing specification.

Thus, in one or more embodiments, sorting the hide according to step 332can include determining a folding specification for the hide (i.e. anindication of how a folding device at a stacking site of stacking system214 is to fold the hide). More specifically, determining a foldingspecification for the hide can include identifying a foldingspecification that is compatible with one or more relevantcharacteristics of the hide. For example, tanning control system 202 candetermine a first hide type folding specification for a first hidehaving a first hide type (e.g., jumbo) and also determine a second hidetype folding specification for a second hide having a second hide type(e.g., heifer). Moreover, tanning control system 202 can determine afolding specification for a hide based on any of the characteristicsassociated with the hide. Alternatively, tanning control system 202 candetermine a folding specification based on a customer specificationassociated with the stack where the hide is to be sorted.

Once tanning control system 202 has determined which stacking site (orpallet) to stack the hide onto, tanning control system 202 can improvetraceability by determining and storing a unique stacking siteidentifier (and/or pallet identifier) in association with the hideidentifier of the hide. Alternatively, stacking system 214 (e.g., theparticular stacking site for the hide) can confirm that the hide hasbeen stacked on a particular stacking site, and then tanning controlsystem 202 can associate the hide identifier with the stacking siteidentifier (and/or pallet identifier) in response to such aconfirmation. Thus, tanning control system 202 can link such hidesorting information in a tanning system database, thereby increasing thetraceability of the hide sorting system

As illustrated by FIG. 3B, step 334 includes providing a routingcommunication to routing manager 206. More specifically, the routingcommunication specifies how to move the hide from classifying system 210to a particular stacking site of stacking system 214 via routing system212. For example, the routing communication can include an indication ofa classifying system identifier and an indication of a stacking siteidentifier. As another example, the routing communication can include anindication of a classifying device identifier (e.g., computer visiondevice identifier) and an indication of a stacking site identifier.Additionally, one or more embodiments may include multiple routingsystems between classifying systems and stacking sites, accordingly, therouting communication can also include an indication of the particularrouting system to use to transport the hide to the particular stackingsite (e.g., a routing system identifier, such as for a conveyor system).

As shown by FIG. 3B, step 336 includes moving the hide according to therouting communication. More specifically, routing manager 206 sends oneor more control signals to routing system 212, which directs routingsystem 212 to transport the hide from classifying system 210 to aparticular stacking site of stacking system 214. Moreover, routingmanager 206 can direct routing system 212 to move the hide to a foldingtable proximate a particular stacking site of stacking system 214.Further, routing manager 206 can direct routing system 212 to move thefolding table with the hide onto a folding device located at aparticular stacking site. Thus, once routing manager 206 has moved thehide to the particular stacking site, the stacking site can fold andstack the hide onto a pallet.

Turning to FIG. 4, exemplary portions 400 of a tanning system databaseare illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments. In one ormore embodiments, tanning system database includes one or more databases(e.g., relational databases, non-relational databases, XML databases,JSON databases, SQL databases, NoSQL databases, cloud databases, etc.).Further, as illustrated by FIG. 4, a tanning system database cancapture, associate, and store information related to individual hidesprocessed by a hide sorting system, such as hide sorting system 106 ofFIG. 2.

In particular, each column 402-414 shows the types of information thattanning control system 202 can capture, associate, and store withrespect to individual hides shown by each row 416-428. For example,tanning control system 202 can determine a batch identifier 402 for eachhide. Further, tanning control system 202 can determine a hide type 404for each hide based on the batch identifier of the hide by identifyingthe batch hide type associated with the batch identifier (e.g., as shownin FIG. 5). Additionally, tanning control system 202 can generate,store, and associate a unique hide identifier 406 for each hideprocessed by hide sorting system 106. Moreover, tanning control system202 can store and associate one or more hide characteristics with eachhide (e.g., hide characteristic 408 and hide classification 410). Theone or more hide characteristics can be received from one or moremeasuring systems and/or classifying systems (e.g., measuring system 204and/or classifying system 210). Additionally or alternatively, the oneor more hide characteristics can be determined and obtained from priortannery process information (e.g., information recorded and stored in atanning system database during unloading and tanning processes, such asthat shown by FIG. 5).

Moreover, as FIG. 4 illustrates, once tanning control system 202 sorts aparticular hide to a particular stacking site and pallet, tanningcontrol system 202 can capture, store, and associate a unique hideidentifier with a unique stacking site identifier 412 and/or a uniquepallet identifier 414. Accordingly, as shown by FIG. 4, a tanning systemdatabase facilitates improved traceability by storing informationrelated to the sorting of each hide.

Along similar lines, FIG. 5 illustrates additional exemplary portions500 of a tanning system database in accordance with one or moreembodiments. In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary portions 500 ofa tanning system database that relate to information concerning priortannery processes, such as the unloading and tanning processes performedby tanning system 104 of FIGS. 1-2. More specifically, each column502-518 shows the particular types of information that tanning controlsystem 202 can capture, associate, and store with respect to batches ofhides shown by each row 520-526. Accordingly, tanning control system 202can determine a batch identifier associated with a hide and then sortthat hide based, at least in part, on the types of information shown inFIG. 5. In doing so, one or more embodiments improve traceability bylinking information generated during the hide sorting process withinformation generated during prior tannery processes. Moreover, one ormore embodiments can improve hide sorting efficiency by leveraginginformation generated during prior tannery processes.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a hide sorting system 600 inaccordance with one or more embodiments. More specifically, FIG. 6 showsone embodiment of a hide sorting system 600, such as hide sorting system106 of FIG. 2. As FIG. 6 shows, human operators can provide leatherhides to a wringing machine 602. After passing through the wringingmachine 602, a measuring system 604 determines one or morecharacteristics of each hide. For example, measuring system 604 caninclude a weight scale that determines a weight of each hide andcommunicates that weight to a tanning control system. Alternatively,measuring system 604 can include any other measuring devices, aspreviously described.

Following processing by measuring system 604, leather hides move alongrouting system 606 (i.e. a belt conveyor) to classifying system 608. AsFIG. 6 shows, classifying system 608 can include a conveyor elevated atan angle that enables a human operator to determine a classification(e.g., grade) for the hide. However, as previously discussed, in otherembodiments classification system 608 can classify hides without theneed for a human operator (e.g., by using a computer vision device).

Once a leather hide is classified by classifying system 608, the hidemoves onto a rotating conveyor system 610 (i.e. a rotating beltconveyor). If the hide was classified as defective, rotating conveyorsystem 610 can move the hide to reject stacking site 628, which caninclude a folding device 630 and one or more reject pallets 632.Alternatively, if the hide was not classified as defective, rotatingconveyor system 610 can move the hide to routing system 612 (i.e. a beltconveyor) to be stacked at a particular stacking site selected from theplurality of stacking sites 614 a-614 b.

As shown by FIG. 6, each stacking site, such as stacking site 618, inthe plurality of stacking sites 614 a-614 b can include a folding device620, and one or more pallets 622. Furthermore, prior to a hide beingfolded and stacked onto a particular stacking site, routing system 612can move the hide onto a folding table 616, which can then move over thefolding device of a particular stacking site. As previously mentioned, afolding table 616 can prevent a hide from falling through a foldingdevice, and facilitates consistent and precise folding of each hide.

Additionally, as FIG. 6 illustrates, hide sorting system 600 can includea rail system 624-626 which runs adjacent to the plurality of stackingsites 614 a-614 b and beneath routing system 612. Accordingly, when apallet of hides is full, the pallet can automatically move onto railsystem 624-626 and then move down the rail system 624-626 to a commonunloading point, such as the locations indicated by 624 or 626.Moreover, when a full pallet is moved from a stacking site, it isreplaced by an empty pallet at the stacking site. For example, stacks ofempty pallets can be arranged at each stacking site, such that only thetop pallet is loaded with hides, and an empty pallet is used when a fullpallet is removed.

FIGS. 1-6, the corresponding text, and the examples provide a number ofdifferent systems and devices for sorting hides. In addition to theforegoing, embodiments can also be described in terms of flowchartscomprising acts and steps in a method for accomplishing a particularresult. For example, FIG. 7, as described in further detail below,illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of one exemplary method 700 of sortinghides from the perspective of a hide sorting system 106 and/or a tanningcontrol system 202. The method 700 can include an act 702 of determininga characteristic of a hide. More specifically, act 702 can includedetermining a characteristic of a hide based on a batch identifierassociated with a plurality of hides (i.e. a batch) that includes thehide. Further, act 702 can include determining a characteristic of ahide by determining a characteristic of a plurality of hides associatedwith the batch identifier (e.g., determining one or more batchcharacteristics). Additionally or alternatively, act 702 can includereceiving a characteristic of a hide from a measuring system.

Moreover, method 700 can also include an act of identifying a batchidentifier associated with a plurality of hides that includes the hideto be sorted. In particular, method 700 can include receiving, as userinput, an identifier that identifies the plurality of hides andcomparing the identifier to one or more batch identifiers stored in atanning system database. Furthermore, method 700 can includedetermining, based on the comparison of the identifier to one or morebatch identifiers, that the identifier does not match any batchidentifiers and providing a notification to a user. Consequently, in oneor more embodiments, method 700 can include providing a prompt to a userto re-enter the identifier in order to find a match with one or morebatch identifiers stored in a tanning system database. Additionally,method 700 can include receiving user input at a measuring system (e.g.,measuring system 204).

Furthermore, method 700 can also include an act of identifying a batchidentifier by accessing a tanning system database. More specifically,method 700 can include identifying a batch identifier associated with aplurality of hides by selecting the batch identifier of the plurality ofhides most recently unloaded from a chroming drum, as indicated by atanning system database.

The method 700 may also include an act 704 of associating a hideidentifier with the hide. In particular, act 704 can include generatinga unique hide identifier for the hide. Furthermore, act 704 can includecapturing the hide identifier in a tanning system database. Moreover,act 704 can include marking the hide with an indication of the hideidentifier (e.g., by using a marking device). Additionally, act 704 caninclude associating a batch identifier with the hide identifier of thehide (e.g., linking the batch identifier and the hide identifier in atanning system database, thereby creating a database relationship).

The method 700 may further include an act 706 of associating thecharacteristic of the hide with the hide identifier. More specifically,act 706 can include associating a characteristic of a plurality of hides(i.e. a batch) with the hide identifier by linking the characteristic tothe hide identifier in a tanning system database. Additionally oralternatively, act 706 can include associating a characteristic of ahide with a hide identifier by linking a characteristic received from ameasuring system with the hide identifier in a tanning system database.

FIG. 7 further illustrates that the method 700 can include an act 708 ofdetermining a grade of the hide. In particular, act 708 can includedetermining a grade of the hide based on a grade received from aclassifying device (e.g., as provided by a human operator (i.e. grader)or a computer vision device). Alternatively, act 708 can includedetermining a grade of the hide based on one or more characteristicsassociated with the batch identifier of the batch that includes thehide. Otherwise, act 708 can include determining a grade of the hidebased on one or more characteristics received from a measuring device.

FIG. 7 also shows that the method 700 can include an act 710 ofassociating the grade of the hide with the hide identifier. Morespecifically, act 710 can include linking, in a tanning system database,the grade of the hide with the hide identifier (e.g., creating adatabase relationship between the grade of the hide and the hideidentifier). Further, act 710 can include associating the grade of thehide with a batch identifier of the hide.

Method 700 can also include an act 712 of sorting the hide based on thegrade of the hide and the characteristic of the hide. In particular, act712 can include sorting the hide based on the grade of the hide and atleast one characteristic selected from the one or more characteristicsof the hide. Act 712 can also include determining whether one or morestacking sites are compatible with the hide. Thus, act 712 can includedetermining a stacking site status for each of one or more stackingsites. Further, act 712 can include sorting the hide based on one ormore customer specifications.

Moreover, method 700 can include an act of stacking the hide. Morespecifically, method 700 can include an act of stacking the hide on apallet, identifying a pallet identifier associated with the pallet, andassociating the pallet identifier with the hide identifier. Furthermore,method 700 can include an act of generating a pallet identifier for thepallet and linking the pallet identifier with the hide identifier in atanning system database. Additionally, method 700 can include an act ofmarking the pallet with the pallet identifier.

In one or more embodiments, method 700 can also include an act ofidentifying a customer specification and sorting the hide according tothe identified customer specification. In particular, method 700 caninclude an act of identifying a customer specification based on thegrade of the hide and at least one characteristic selected from the oneor more characteristics of the hide. Further, method 700 can include anact of folding and/or stacking the hide according to the identifiedcustomer specification.

Embodiments may comprise or use a special purpose or general-purposecomputer including computer hardware, such as, for example, one or moreprocessors and system memory, as discussed in greater detail below.Embodiments within the scope also include physical and othercomputer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executableinstructions and/or data structures. In certain particular embodiments,one or more of the processes described herein may be implemented atleast in part as instructions embodied in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium and executable by one or more computing devices(e.g., any of the media content access devices described herein). Ingeneral, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor, etc.) receivesinstructions, from a non-transitory computer-readable medium, (e.g., amemory, etc.), and executes those instructions, thereby performing oneor more processes, including one or more of the processes describedherein.

Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer system.Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions arenon-transitory computer-readable storage media (devices).Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions aretransmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, one ormore embodiments can comprise at least two distinctly different kinds ofcomputer-readable media: non-transitory computer-readable storage media(devices) and transmission media.

Non-transitory computer-readable storage media (devices) includes RAM,ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, solid state drives (SSDs) (e.g., based on RAM),flash memory, phase-change memory (PCM), other types of memory, otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storagedevices, or any other medium which can be used to store desired programcode means in the form of computer-executable instructions or datastructures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer.

A “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable thetransport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modulesand/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred orprovided over a network or another communications connection (eitherhardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to acomputer, the computer properly views the connection as a transmissionmedium. Transmission media can include a network and/or data links whichcan be used to carry desired program code means in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions or data structures and which can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Combinationsof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program codemeans in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structurescan be transferred automatically from transmission media tonon-transitory computer-readable storage media (devices) (or viceversa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structuresreceived over a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within anetwork interface module (e.g., a “NIC”), and then eventuallytransferred to computer system RAM and/or to less volatile computerstorage media (devices) at a computer system. Thus, it should beunderstood that non-transitory computer-readable storage media (devices)can be included in computer system components that also (or evenprimarily) use transmission media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which, when executed at a processor, cause a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing deviceto perform a certain function or group of functions. In someembodiments, computer-executable instructions are executed on a generalpurpose computer to turn the general purpose computer into a specialpurpose computer implementing elements of one or more embodiments. Thecomputer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries,intermediate format instructions, such as assembly language, or evensource code. Although the subject matter has been described in languagespecific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to beunderstood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the described features or acts described above.Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example formsof implementing the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the one or moreembodiments may be practiced in network computing environments with manytypes of computer system configurations, including, personal computers,desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-helddevices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches, and thelike. One or more embodiments may also be practiced in distributedsystem environments where local and remote computer systems, which arelinked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by acombination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network,both perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modulesmay be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Embodiments can also be implemented in cloud computing environments. Inthis description and the following claims, “cloud computing” is definedas a model for enabling on-demand network access to a shared pool ofconfigurable computing resources. For example, cloud computing can beemployed in the marketplace to offer ubiquitous and convenient on-demandaccess to the shared pool of configurable computing resources. Theshared pool of configurable computing resources can be rapidlyprovisioned via virtualization and released with low management effortor service provider interaction, and then scaled accordingly.

A cloud computing model can be composed of various characteristics suchas, for example, on-demand self-service, broad network access, resourcepooling, rapid elasticity, measured service, and so forth. A cloudcomputing model can also expose various service models, such as, forexample, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), andInfrastructure as a Service (IaaS). A cloud computing model can also bedeployed using different deployment models such as private cloud,community cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, and so forth. In thisdescription and in the claims, a “cloud computing environment” is anenvironment in which cloud computing is employed.

FIG. 8 illustrates, in block diagram form, an exemplary computing device800 that may be configured to perform one or more of the processesdescribed above. The systems and components 102-112 of FIG. 1 and202-214 of FIG. 2 can each comprise implementations of thedata-computing device 800. As shown by FIG. 8, the computing device cancomprise a processor 802, memory 804, a storage device 806, an I/Ointerface 808, and a communication interface 810. While an exemplarycomputing device 800 is shown in FIG. 8, the components illustrated inFIG. 8 are not intended to be limiting. Additional or alternativecomponents may be used in other embodiments. Furthermore, in certainembodiments, a computing device 800 can include fewer components thanthose shown in FIG. 8. Components of computing device 800 shown in FIG.8 will now be described in additional detail.

In particular embodiments, processor(s) 802 includes hardware forexecuting instructions, such as those making up a computer program. Asan example and not by way of limitation, to execute instructions,processor(s) 802 may retrieve (or fetch) the instructions from aninternal register, an internal cache, memory 804, or a storage device806 and decode and execute them. In particular embodiments, processor(s)802 may include one or more internal caches for data, instructions, oraddresses. As an example and not by way of limitation, processor(s) 802may include one or more instruction caches, one or more data caches, andone or more translation lookaside buffers (TLBs). Instructions in theinstruction caches may be copies of instructions in memory 804 orstorage device 806.

The computing device 800 includes memory 804, which is coupled to theprocessor(s) 802. The memory 804 may be used for storing data, metadata,and programs for execution by the processor(s). The memory 804 mayinclude one or more of volatile and non-volatile memories, such asRandom Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), a solid state disk(SSD), flash, Phase Change Memory (PCM), or other types of data storage.The memory 804 may be internal or distributed memory.

The computing device 800 includes a storage device 806 for storing dataor instructions. As an example and not by way of limitation, storagedevice 806 can comprise a non-transitory storage medium described above.The storage device 806 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppydisk drive, flash memory, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc,magnetic tape, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive or a combination oftwo or more of these. Storage device 806 may include removable ornon-removable (or fixed) media, where appropriate. Storage device 806may be internal or external to the computing device 800. In particularembodiments, storage device 806 is non-volatile, solid-state memory. Inparticular embodiments, storage device 806 includes read-only memory(ROM). Where appropriate, this ROM may be mask programmed ROM,programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasablePROM (EEPROM), electrically alterable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory, or acombination of two or more of these.

The computing device 800 also includes one or more input or output (I/O)devices/interfaces 808, which are provided to allow a user to provideinput to, receive output from, and otherwise transfer data to and fromthe computing device 800. These I/O devices/interfaces 808 may include amouse, keypad or a keyboard, a touch screen, camera, optical scanner,network interface, modem, other known I/O devices or a combination ofsuch I/O devices/interfaces 808. The touch screen may be activated witha stylus or a finger.

The I/O devices/interfaces 808 may include one or more devices forpresenting output to a user, including, but not limited to, a graphicsengine, a display (e.g., a display screen), one or more output drivers(e.g., display drivers), one or more audio speakers, and one or moreaudio drivers. In certain embodiments, I/O devices/interfaces 808 isconfigured to provide graphical data to a display for presentation to auser. The graphical data may be representative of one or more graphicaluser interfaces and/or any other graphical content as may serve aparticular implementation.

The computing device 800 can further include a communication interface810. The communication interface 810 can include hardware, software, orboth. The communication interface 810 can provide one or more interfacesfor communication (such as, for example, packet-based communication)between the computing device 800 and one or more other computing devicesor one or more networks. As an example and not by way of limitation,communication interface 810 may include a network interface controller(NIC) or network adapter for communicating with an Ethernet or otherwire-based network or a wireless NIC (WNIC) or wireless adapter forcommunicating with a wireless network, such as a WI-FI.

This disclosure contemplates any suitable network and any suitablecommunication interface 810. As an example and not by way of limitation,computing device 800 may communicate with an ad hoc network, a personalarea network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or one or more portions of theInternet, or a combination of two or more of these. One or more portionsof one or more of these networks may be wired or wireless. As anexample, computing device 800 may communicate with a wireless PAN (WPAN)(such as, for example, a BLUETOOTH WPAN), a WI-FI network, a WI-MAXnetwork, a cellular telephone network (such as, for example, a GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM) network), or other suitablewireless network or a combination thereof. Computing device 800 mayinclude any suitable communication interface 810 for any of thesenetworks, where appropriate.

The computing device 800 can further include a bus 812. The bus 812 cancomprise hardware, software, or both that couples components ofcomputing device 800 to each other. As an example and not by way oflimitation, bus 812 may include an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) orother graphics bus, an Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture (EISA)bus, a front-side bus (FSB), a HYPERTRANSPORT (HT) interconnect, anIndustry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an INFINIBAND interconnect, alow-pin-count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a Micro Channel Architecture(MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express(PCIe) bus, a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) bus, a VideoElectronics Standards Association local (VLB) bus, or another suitablebus or a combination thereof.

In the foregoing specification, various embodiments have been describedwith reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. Variousembodiments and aspects are described with reference to detailsdiscussed herein, and the accompanying drawings illustrate the variousembodiments. The description above and drawings are illustrative and arenot to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are describedto provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments.

One or more embodiments may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. For example, the methods described herein may beperformed with less or more steps/acts or the steps/acts may beperformed in differing orders. Additionally, the steps/acts describedherein may be repeated or performed in parallel with one another or inparallel with different instances of the same or similar steps/acts. Thescope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claimsrather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come withinthe meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embracedwithin their scope.

We claim:
 1. A method of hide sorting comprising: identifying a batchidentifier associated with a plurality of hides; determining, by atleast one processor and based on the batch identifier, a batchcharacteristic associated with the plurality of hides, the batchcharacteristic created during a prior tanning process applied to theplurality of hides; generating a hide identifier for a hide of theplurality of hides; associating the batch characteristic with the hideidentifier; and sorting the hide based on the batch characteristic. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, as user input, anidentifier that identifies the plurality of hides; comparing theidentifier to batch identifiers stored in a tanning system database;determining, based on the comparison, the identifier does not match anyof the batch identifiers stored in the tanning system database; andbased on the determination that the identifier does not match any of thebatch identifiers stored in the tanning system database, providing anotification to a user.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thenotification to the user comprises a prompt to re-enter the identifier.4. The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving the user input ata measuring system.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisingaccessing a tanning system database to identify the batch identifierassociated with the plurality of hides.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein identifying the batch identifier associated with the pluralityof hides comprises selecting the batch identifier based on the batchidentifier being associated with a batch most recently unloaded from achroming drum as indicated by the tanning system database, wherein thebatch includes the plurality of hides.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe batch characteristic comprises a hide type.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising marking the hide with an indication of the hideidentifier.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating thebatch identifier with the hide identifier.
 10. The method of claim 1,further comprising: stacking the hide on a pallet; identifying a palletidentifier associated with the pallet; and associating the palletidentifier with the hide identifier.
 11. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: identifying a customer specification based on the batchcharacteristic; and folding the hide according to the customerspecification.
 12. A method of hide sorting comprising: determining, byat least one processor and based on a batch identifier associated with aplurality of hides, a batch characteristic associated with the pluralityof hides, the batch characteristic created during a prior tanningprocess applied to the plurality of hides generating a hide identifierfor a hide of the plurality of hides; associating the batchcharacteristic with the hide identifier; after determining the batchcharacteristic, move the hide of the plurality of hides from a firstdevice to a second device; based on the batch characteristic, moving thehide from the second device to a stacking site selected from a pluralityof stacking sites; and stacking the hide at the stacking site.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the batch characteristic comprises a hidetype.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first device comprises ameasuring system and the second device comprises a classifying system.15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: identifying a palletidentifier of a pallet located at the stacking site; stacking the hideonto the pallet; identifying a hide identifier associated with the hide;and associating the pallet identifier with the hide identifier.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising: identifying a stacking siteidentifier associated with the stacking site; and associating thestacking site identifier with the pallet identifier.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising moving the pallet to an unloading sitecommon to the plurality of stacking sites.
 18. The method of claim 15,further comprising marking the pallet with an indication of the palletidentifier.
 19. A hide sorting system comprising: one or more computingdevices; and a non-transitory storage medium comprising instructionsthat, when executed by the one or more computing devices, cause thesystem to: identify a batch identifier associated with a plurality ofhides; determine, based on the batch identifier, a batch characteristicassociated with the plurality of hides, the batch characteristic createdduring a prior tanning process applied to the plurality of hides;generate a hide identifier for a hide of the plurality of hides;associate the batch characteristic with the hide identifier; and sortthe hide based on the batch characteristic.
 20. The system as recited inclaim 19, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or morecomputing devices, further cause the system to: stack the hide on apallet; identify a pallet identifier associated with the pallet; andassociate the pallet identifier with the hide identifier.